Name-calling ignores need for dialogue

Published: Thursday, June 13, 2013 at 12:30 a.m.

Last Modified: Wednesday, June 12, 2013 at 1:48 p.m.

Really governor, "outsiders" … really?

Really?

That's how Gov. Pat McCrory and Republican lawmakers in the General Assembly are now addressing a growing group of protesters collected weekly at the General Assembly under the self-made heading of "Moral Mondays." The only thing missing is the word "agitators."

The "outsiders" designation is one steeped in a rather sad political tradition of characterizing those in opposition as beings from another planet seemingly drawn here to overturn the vastly more popular politics or policies of a particular moment. It's "Us vs. Them," slash-and-burn politics.

Ultimately, it's politics of division.

And in this case it's factually incorrect.

According to WRAL, 98 percent of those arrested over the past few weeks of protests are North Carolina residents. They're pastors, teachers, doctors, retirees, political operatives and — yes — activists. In all, nearly 400 people have been taken to jail over the past month or more of protests that include chanting and praying outside the state Senate chambers. More than 200 of those have occurred over the past two weeks.

Those arrested are protesters who have taken their message inside the legislative building as an act of civil disobedience that is a violation of state law. As a rule, they should be arrested. In fact, the protesters anticipate being hauled away by police and welcome it because of the publicity it generates. Hundreds more cheer outside without police interference. No doubt some of the cheerleaders are from national liberal organizations such as Organizing for America or the Service Employees International Union.

But that's the minority, and labeling Moral Mondays the work of outsiders cheapens the debate. Those in opposition to government policies have a right to protest within the boundaries of the law. While the governor and state legislators are not obligated to listen, it's also in their interest not to simply dismiss the action with derogatory or factually inaccurate terms.

As for McCrory, who ran for office on a platform of building bridges, not burning them, he has refused to meet with those in opposition, stating "(Outside groups) are going to come in and try to change the subject. And I'm not going to let them. I'm going to concentrate on the economy, education and government efficiency."

But those seem to be subjects the protesters are interested in talking about, they simply don't like the change in policies long established by Democrats that are now being changed by Republicans who are in control of the General Assembly and governor's office for the first time in more than a century. Republicans now in command simply don't want to hear it and aren't about to abide it.

The protesters and GOP leaders have legitimate political differences over issues such as Medicaid, voter ID, education funding, unemployment benefits, tax reform, the death penalty and almost everything else. It is highly unlikely the two sides will ever reach accord on dozens of issues. And they don't have to.

But name-calling won't improve things, either. In fact, McCrory and others may be making the situation a whole lot worse.

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